Registration opens today for Family Weekend, which is Friday-Sunday, Nov. 2-4.

Weekend highlights include a variety of tours around campus and Missoula, as well as stargazing and athletic and cultural events. Many events are free, but families have the option of attending several events that have a cost and require reservations.

You can choose between a Pregame Brunch and a tailgating before Saturday's Montana Grizzlies football game. Space is limited at both events, and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The sit-down brunch costs $12.50 per person and the tailgate costs $7 per person. Neither is included in your student's meal plan, so you'll have to buy your student a ticket to attend.

President George Dennison will give away a $1,000 tuition waiver to one lucky family during the Pregame Brunch.

Sunday's Farewell Breakfast costs $5 per person.

UM's Department of Mathematics will hold an open house and dedication ceremony for the new addition to the Mathematics Building on Thursday, Sept. 20.

The addition houses an elevator that makes the building more accessible, as well as new restrooms and offices.

The open house will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., with a dedication ceremony at 4:10 p.m. by the entrance to the addition. Cake and ice cream will be served.

The state's largest parade and the most spirited Grizzly football game of the season are just a few of the many time-honored events planned for UM's 2007 Homecoming, Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 26-29.

The theme for this year's Homecoming is "Montana Legends: Discovery Never Ends."

Following are some Homecoming highlights:

Wednesday, Sept. 26

• Decorating contest for UM residence halls and departments.
• Yell Night Pep Rally, 7:30 p.m., UM Oval. Includes Singing on the Steps, Lighting of the M and fireworks. These events present a great way for students to learn about some of UM's longest-standing traditions.

Thursday, Sept. 27

• Homecoming Buffet, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Food Zoo, Lommasson Center.

Friday, Sept. 28

• 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, 5 p.m., University Center Ballroom.
• All Alumni Social and Dance, 9 p.m., Holiday Inn Parkside.

Saturday, Sept. 29

• Homecoming Parade, takes off at 10 a.m. from downtown Missoula's Circle Square.
• Alumni Tailgate Party, after the parade in the River Bowl area on campus.
• Griz vs. Weber State football game, 1:05 p.m., Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
• Homecoming Ball, 8:30 p.m., University Center Ballroom.

UM performed better than 70 percent of four-year institutions on the Collegiate Learning Assessment. Developed by the Council for Aid to Education with the Rand Corp., the CLA is an innovative approach to assessing an institution's contribution to student learning.

Participating campuses receive two reports: an interim report in mid-winter after testing first-year students that provides insights into incoming classes, and a final value-added report during the summer after testing seniors.

UM administrators recently received results for the CLA conducted in 2006-07. Results show that UM first-year students performed at the level expected, given their entering SAT/ACT scores. As anticipated, seniors performed better on the CLA than did first-year students.

The expected difference between scores on the CLA is 146 points. At UM, seniors showed significant gains, scoring 168 points higher than entering students.

"These results are important in the University's continuing assessment of its educational programs," said Associate Provost Arlene Walker-Andrews. "The CLA focuses on how institutions as a whole contribute to student development, and these current results show that UM contributes substantially to student growth when compared to other four-year institutions."

Which motorcycle-riding, back-flipping, two-time local celebrity was chosen once again as a nominee for Capital One's National Mascot of the Year?

Of course it's Monte, UM's national champion winning mascot.

Monte landed the title in 2002 and 2004, and he can win it again because the fans decide the winner this time around in the sixth-annual competition.

Polls are already open. The mascots with the best win/loss records will face off in online playoffs beginning in November. The winning mascot will be announced during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2008.

So, Monte fans, help out UM by logging on daily to make your votes count.

UM Career Services will help students learn to market themselves to employers through a series of workshops to be held on Wednesdays in October. The workshops are free and assist students with resume writing, interviewing techniques, portfolios and more.

Students majoring in accounting, pharmacy, physical therapy or other health-related fields should plan to attend the Accounting and Health Professions Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, in the University Center. The fair is an excellent way to meet with recruiters to learn about various companies and organizations and about career opportunities.

Complete information about workshops and how to get involved in the career fair is online.

Thank you for reading Transcripts and for being part of the UM community.

Go Griz!